We are currently developing a new site to host the Patent Manual of Practice and Procedure. The BETA version of this site is now available for you to review. The information and content displayed in the BETA site is only available for testing purposes. Do not use or reference the information in the BETA site when making any decisions or actions regarding IP rights.

2.5.2.3.1 Introduction

Date Published

Note: The information in this part only applies to standard patent applications with an examination request filed before 15 April 2013.  For all other standard patent applications, see 2.5.2.3.1A Introduction.

The starting point in the "problem-solution" approach to inventive step is identifying a problem that the claimed invention solves. The problem is the focal point for the analysis and provides a context for:

  • identifying the person skilled in the art;

  • determining the relevant common general knowledge;

  • determining whether the person skilled in the art could, before the priority date of the relevant claim, be reasonably expected to have ascertained, understood, regarded as relevant and, where applicable, combined the prior art information; and

  • evaluating the relevance of the prior art information and whether there is invention in solving the problem.

Examiners should objectively determine a problem that the claimed invention solves. They should identify as narrow a problem as possible, but must avoid including any part of the solution in the phrasing of the problem, to avoid an ex post facto analysis of inventive step.

Back to top